Risi Competizione had a frantic 18 minutes yesterday after Giancarlo Fisichella finished the final practice session with significant damage after hitting the wall at the end of the back straight.

The Italian ex-F1 driver was fastest in the morning session and second fastest in the afternoon – but running wide at the end of the back straight left his team with work to do.

The Risi crew worked feverishly during the 10-minute break between Practice Two and qualifying to make a few quick repairs and bodywork replacement to the Ferrari 458 Italia. Fisichella began his qualifying session with just eight minutes remaining in the 15-minute session and was able to clock a time of 1:17.709 for the third position on the grid, under the previous qualifying track record.

The team replaced the wing/rear deck, rear bumper and mirror, including collecting body parts from the Risi Transporter stationed in the IMSA Paddock located on the other side of the circuit.

“Considering what happened ten minutes before the end of the last practice session, the qualifying session was great,” Fisichella said.

“Thanks to the guys, they did a fantastic job on the spot. The car was not perfect and probably some additional repairs need to be made.

“It looks promising for the race. Obviously BMW looks pretty quick, but I think we can fight them for the podium. We need to be away from the wall and have a clean race to make it to the end. It’s difficult to overtake here, but I think if we have a good pit stop and good strategy we can fight for the podium.”